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Introducing My Blogging BFF

11.19.2015

Breakfast With Bentley - Hair ElasticsWell well well…look who it is. It’s me! I’m back after quite a hiatus, if I do say so myself. I wish I could tell you that I spent the last two weeks wandering around an island somewhere, in a bikini, with a cocktail in my hand. In reality, I was sitting on my couch, in my pajamas, with a bottle of wine in the recycling bin. Okay, okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. We don’t have a recycling bin.

It must be something about fall. The weather, the darkness, the pumpkin spiced lattes. Who knows. But it seems to have put me in a bit of a rut. When I get home from work I don’t feel motivated to even start making dinner, much less get started on creative projects. Which is just perfect too, because I’d really like to get started on a few Christmas project craft ideas. Not to mention, that Reuben (our Elf on the Shelf) is right around the corner. He better start getting some ideas on paper, because this girl doesn’t have a whole lot of spare time for him.

Breakfast with Bentley - Hair ElasticsIn the meantime, I figured I should stop neglecting you guys, and start sharing instead. So without further ado, I present to you: my blogging bff, Kristine from Breakfast with Bentley. We both started blogging around the same time, and quickly realized we are pretty much sisters from another mister. Well, with the exception that she’s a dog girl and I’m clearly an old cat lady. Other than that, we are basically twins.

Breakfast With Bentley - Hair ElasticsSince she’s my fake-twin and all, she’s clearly amazing. We have that in common. What we don’t have in common is that she’s following her entrepreneurship ideas and is getting right on the track to making herself some serious cash. She started with these invitation ornaments, and quickly expanded into selling these elastic hair ties as well. They’re so cute, and the perfect birthday gift for that friend that has everything else. You can buy your own in her Etsy shop, since I was lucky enough to be gifted my own set! I mean, we are blogging besties after all.

Elastic Hair Ties - Breakfast With BentleyNow, if I could only follow in her footsteps and get myself going on my own Etsy shop. I’ll just add that to the list of everything else I need to get done.

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Comments

  1. Britta says

    11.19.2015 at 11:27 am

    Her shop is so cute!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      11.19.2015 at 11:30 am

      Right?! I love the hair ties! 🙂

  2. JoAnn Danelski says

    11.19.2015 at 1:09 pm

    Welcome back Shauna, just in time for Christmas projects!! Better get busy!!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      11.19.2015 at 3:51 pm

      Thank youuuuuu!!!! I will have to get on writing more blog posts! And getting on making Reuben sets! 🙂

  3. Aimee says

    11.20.2015 at 2:42 pm

    I’ve been telling you start your own Etsy shop for years! DO IT! 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      11.20.2015 at 2:54 pm

      I don’t know what I’d sell!!!!!

  4. Liz says

    11.21.2015 at 4:52 pm

    I love these hair ties! I’m still a fan of the traditional elastic ones but these ones are obviously way cuter! I have a drawer full of them.

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      11.30.2015 at 5:16 pm

      Aren’t they adorable?! I typically keep the traditional ones on my wrist, but these are so much more fun. 😉

  5. Kathy and Kevin Bligh says

    11.21.2015 at 4:53 pm

    I think you just need a little vacation to the South East to reinvigorate your creative drive. So look forward to our visit!!! Love, Kathy

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      11.30.2015 at 5:15 pm

      So grateful I was able to visit!! Thank you for a wonderful trip!

  6. Kristine says

    12.01.2015 at 1:54 pm

    First of all, I’m a bad blogging BFF – why did I not see this sooner?! Probably because I’ve been knee deep in ornaments (and I was in a wedding over the weekend). Nonetheless, you are an AMAZING blogging BFF and this post was awesome. Thank you!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      12.03.2015 at 7:56 pm

      Hahaha you’re amazing!! I’m so glad that you’re so busy with your shop, how exciting!!! 🙂

About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

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stayinghomesawyer

There’s just something about that second child. Th There’s just something about that second child. They pick up everything so quickly. They’re unstoppable. They want to do everything and they want to do it now. 

Second child life.
The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so glad we have daughters,” I just about melted. Because like most men, he always envisioned a son. Someone he could pass his useless sports knowledge to, someone he could play mediocre golf with. Maybe someone to watch the hockey playoffs with (that doesn’t complain like I do). 

When we found out our second girl was coming, he famously said he watched the pink smoke hoping it would turn to purple and then blue. The first thing out of his mouth after he really digested it was, “now I have to pay for two weddings.”

And then one day, not long after the second came along, he realized why he’s a a girl dad. Because he couldn’t be more perfect for them. And they are exactly what he needed.
After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’ After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’t see how there’s any other option. God’s beauty is in everything, and sometimes I feel sad that I’ll never be able to see it all.
My husband and I never thought we’d be the homesch My husband and I never thought we’d be the homeschooling family, but here we are. What started as a few things here and there that we didn’t like, exploded into not liking much of anything in a traditional school, and liking just about everything about homeschooling. 

So now, here we are, on a random weekday, exploring our city. Picking up shells and learning about science. Meeting new people and gaining new friends. There’s so much more than doing lessons at home (although those happen too, don’t worry). There’s a whole big word out there to explore.
I have this theory. I think that as women, even wh I have this theory. I think that as women, even when we are done, we never really feel “done.” I think it’s innate. It’s biological. We were designed to procreate. We were designed to mother. When all of that is over, REALLY OVER, it’s a sad moment. It’s hard to accept. It’s hard to move on.

If you had asked me years ago if I would feel like this, I would have told you, “absolutely not. I’m done.” But when a woman gets to a “certain age,” it feels hard to accept. 

How do you feel?
The secret is out… I don’t spend more money than The secret is out…

I don’t spend more money than most. A party at a trampoline park is about double (if not more) expensive than this. A party at a park with a jumper? More expensive. It’s not about the money, it’s about the prep.

I spend months in advance planning for my parties. As soon as my girls decide on a theme, I take off (and we don’t do theme switches once anything has been purchased). My biggest money saving tip is to try to get the theme MONTHS in advance. I’m literally planning my daughter’s October birthday party already! 

So for those of you wondering, you absolutely CAN do fun parties on a budget. You just need a little more effort, and a little more time. 💕
There’s something about watching your child experi There’s something about watching your child experience the world for the first time that changes you.

The way they slow down, the way they notice everything…it makes you realize how much you’ve been rushing past.

I’m trying to remember that these aren’t just her firsts, they’re mine too, in a completely different way.
Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a sp Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a special thing. It meant vacations at the beach, time with family, hot summer days. 

Now, watching my babies collect their own seashells, holding tight to the “BEST” ones, makes my heart happier than I ever could have thought. It’s the little joys.
It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will hav It’s par for the course, I know. Everyone will have something to say about literally everything. Hosting an Easter egg hunt? Too excessive. Throwing a kids birthday party on a budget? Consumerism. Happy with my husband? He must be miserable.

So I’ll just be over here decorating my house for The Masters this weekend, because #consumerism. And also because I spent $2 and it makes my husband happy.
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